When your garden produces a bounty of produce, consider dehydrating some

• July 6, 2024

For those of us who grow fruit, herbs, and vegetables, summer and early fall can become overwhelming when the garden is in full production. It’s nice to have an abundance of produce, but after a while you can get tired of eating it, no matter how good it is. Fruit trees tend to give their fruit all at once, so you could harvest many pounds of high-quality fruit that won’t stay good for very long. Our first apricot tree gave us over 75 pounds of apricots, all perfectly ripe at the same time! We often have a kitchen counter full of a variety of ripe tomatoes waiting to be eaten fresh or processed.

Fruit can be turned into jams and jellies, but each recipe only uses 5-10 pounds of fruit. Of course, you can make multiple recipes, but how much jam and jelly will your family consume? Tomatoes can be made into salsa, pasta sauce, barbeque sauce, catsup, or canned whole. These are all delicious but involve many hours in the kitchen working over a hot stove.

Dehydrating can be an easier way to deal with a sudden glut of produce that’s too good to compost. Drying can reduce the volume by 90%, making storage much easier. Preparing food for dehydration is relatively quick, and generally doesn’t involve heating up your kitchen.

Fruit such as apricots, apples, peaches, nectarines, pears, berries, grapes, and most plums dehydrate well. For stone fruits, simply cut in half to remove the pit and, if possible, invert the fruit by pressing to turn it “inside-out.” This flattens the fruit half and allows it to dry quickly. Plums with tart skin should not be dehydrated since the tartness will intensify as the fruit dries. Most Japanese plums fall into this category. With that exception, flavor and sweetness will intensify with drying.

Most vegetables can be dehydrated as well. Tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot), herbs, string beans, leafy cooking greens, carrots, celery, and squash can be sliced or cut up and dried to make soup mix or snacks. If they are dried to the point of crispness, they can be pulverized in a food processor and made into flavored powder. I like to save tomato skins that have been removed in blanching, dry, and grind them into powder.

Electric dehydrators come in two basic designs. The less expensive models have a fan and heating element on the bottom with moveable trays that stack. This type of dehydrator is less effective since the trays need to be rotated frequently to allow the food to dry reasonably quickly and evenly. The more expensive type of dehydrator has the heating element and fan in the back and blows the warm air over all the trays evenly. The trays need to be rotated as well, but not as frequently. Electric dehydrators can often be purchased at garage sales or secondhand stores. After the finished product has been vacuum sealed, it can be stored in the freezer indefinitely.

Los Angeles County

[email protected]; 626-586-1988; http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/

Orange County

[email protected]; http://mgorange.ucanr.edu/

Riverside County

[email protected]; https://ucanr.edu/sites/RiversideMG/

San Bernardino County

[email protected]; 909-387-2182; http://mgsb.ucanr.edu

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Column: How can we get people to eat vegetables? Denmark has a way

• July 6, 2024

Howard Chua-Eoan | Bloomberg Opinion (TNS)

One of the most traumatic moments in my life was being forced to eat a tangle of bean sprouts. These were not mung beans: They were thicker and twisted ominously out of their crunchy yellow seeds, looking like imploding tribbles from the classic Star Trek episode. They also gave off sulfuric fumes that made all the kids gag. But there was no escape.

“You can’t leave the table until you have this,” my uncle declared. It was 1979. My family had just immigrated to California and was staying with him and my aunt. That evening, he was in charge of feeding me, my siblings and his own kids because mom and her sister — the usual and very accomplished cooks — were away. If the smell was bad, it was worse going down. We ate these during the war, he said sternly. That made us feel worse: thinking about all the starving children in Japanese-occupied Asia who had nothing else on the menu.

I’d always been more of a carnivore, and those sprouts didn’t convince me to give up on chops and steaks. In the ensuing years, a generation of vegan and vegetarian activists didn’t sit well with me either. They were well-meaning with their catalogs of nutritious facts and save-the-planet statistics. But they often ended up strident, talking down to meat eaters as if we were pre-sapiens and then literally offering us pablum. “Would it kill you to have vegetables?” they’d say. I’d respond: “Maybe not, but that thing you put on my plate just might.”

So I was intrigued by a new initiative being introduced in Denmark to promote vegetables among a population that prefers meat and fish (and deep-fried camembert!). What’s fascinating, as my Bloomberg News colleague Sanne Wass says in her deliciously reported story, is that the literature being distributed by the Plant Fund avoids words like “vegetarian” and “vegan” — and it hasn’t set numerical or statistical targets. Instead, its $100 million in government funds are being directed at encouragement and nudging and the difficult art of convincing people that ingesting a few more greens actually enhances your gastronomic experience. No one is demanding that you give up meat — just to vary your diet. As Sanne says, “Getting people in high-income countries to eat less meat has been singled out as a key way to help the planet. Swapping out beef for a single meal can almost halve a person’s carbon footprint for that day.”

That uncoercive, flavor-forward approach to vegetables is completely preferable to the doctrinaire. The example of India comes to mind where religious groups are trying to force vegan menus on public school children, who are already among the least nourished in the world. An egg is the most efficient way to get protein into growing kids, but that’s forbidden in many parts of the country. Ironically, India also has the largest population of cattle in the world because the animal is considered sacred and allowed to wander freely everywhere. Cows produce a large part of livestock’s 14.5% share of global greenhouse gas emissions.

In Denmark, the Plant Fund is using food festivals and chef training to help increase the presence of vegetables on the national dinner table. Some of the most prominent and critically acclaimed Danish restaurants have been at the forefront of this, notably Rene Redzepi’s Noma (which holds an annual vegetable season that I will savor once more in a couple of weeks); and Geranium, which Sanne cites in her piece. But perhaps the key restaurant in the slow pivot to eating vegetables is Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York. I used to hate carrots until chef Dan Barber served me a single, tiny carrot from his upstate farm. It was like candy — a sweetness all its own and unlike any other carrot I’ve had. That was about 20 years ago. I still approach carrots with some trepidation but no longer with outright loathing — and I am always overjoyed when Barber sends them out to me. Blue Hill raises (and serves) its own animals too. But the vegetables are outrageously good.

London has its cutting-edge vegetarian restaurants as well. I had the opportunity to sample the fare at Plates, a new spot by Kirk Haworth, who was crowned “champion of champions” in the latest iteration of the BBC’s Great British Menu. The menu isn’t vegan but almost completely plant-based (with a house ricotta the closest reference to animal protein). Even the butter that comes with an astonishing laminated bread is concocted from spirulina algae. It is green but absolutely winning. The restaurant has just opened, but it’s already booked up for months.

I’m not giving up meat, but my vegetable love should grow vaster, to steal a line from Andrew Marvell. As chefs turn their talents toward plants, more of my meals will be vegetarian — without feeling I’ve sacrificed enjoyment. I can have my steak, and eat it too. Just less often.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Howard Chua-Eoan is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering culture and business. He previously served as Bloomberg Opinion’s international editor and is a former news director at Time magazine.

©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com/opinion. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Bright light at night could raise your diabetes risk, study says

• July 6, 2024

Hunter Boyce | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

ATLANTA — Being exposed to light during a certain time of day can increase a person’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. According to the science, it all comes down to how you sleep.

Published in the Lancet Regional Health — Europe earlier this month, a study helmed by Flinders University researchers in Australia discovered sleep disruption can play a significant role in diabetes development.

“We found that exposure to brighter light at night was associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” senior study author and associate professor at the university’s College of Medicine and Public Health Andrew Phillips said in a news release.

“Light exposure at night can disrupt our circadian rhythms, leading to changes in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism,” he continued. “Changes in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism caused by disrupted circadian rhythms affect the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which can ultimately lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.”

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Researchers analyzed information from around 85,000 people and 13 million hours of light sensor data to determine being exposed to light from 12:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. increased diabetes risks in participants. The participants did not have Type 2 diabetes at the beginning of the trial, which ran for nine years.

For a near decade, in the largest known study of its kind, the scientists monitored the participants to observe who developed the disease.

“The results showed that exposure to brighter light at night is associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes, with a dose-dependent relationship between light exposure and risk,” Phillips said. “Our findings suggest that reducing your light exposure at night and maintaining a dark environment may be an easy and cheap way to prevent or delay the development of diabetes.”

©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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We’re halfway through 2024. It’s a good time to check your credit

• July 6, 2024

By Lauren Schwahn | NerdWallet

We’ve reached the midpoint of 2024. As you reflect on the first six months of the year, you may be wondering how you’re doing financially. Checking up on your credit health is a good starting point.

“People’s insurance rates, the fact that they can get approved for an apartment or even be employed by certain entities is being determined in part by credit scores and their credit reports,” says Michelle Smoley, an accredited financial counselor in Elma, Iowa. “It’s really, really important for people to keep on top of their credit report and their credit scores because they’re used for more than just consumer lending purposes.”

Here’s how to figure out where your credit stands and what you can do to protect it over the next six months.

Inspect your credit reports

Pull your credit reports from the three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can use AnnualCreditReport.com to get free copies as often as once per week. Checking your reports yourself doesn’t directly affect your credit score, but it can help shed light on details that may be damaging your credit.

What should you look for? Make sure personal information, such as your name and address, is correct.

“Any errors or unusual information there might be a clue that somebody is trying to steal your identity,” says Bruce McClary, senior vice president of memberships and communications at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. “It’s a tactic of identity thieves to apply for credit under P.O. boxes or addresses that are not really yours.”

Review the accounts and credit inquiries listed on your reports too. If negative items like bankruptcies or collections appear, make sure they aren’t outdated (most derogatory marks are supposed to fall off credit reports after seven years). Immediately file a dispute with the credit bureaus if you see anything inaccurate or unfamiliar. In many cases if the issue is corrected, “you’ll see a lift in your credit score,” McClary says.

Check your reports throughout the rest of the year — and beyond — for anything fishy. You can also protect yourself by freezing your credit, which blocks access to your reports.

Check your credit score

If you’re planning a big purchase, such as a car or home, knowing your credit score and whether you could positively impact it beforehand can help you get approved for credit or for a more favorable interest rate, Smoley says.

You won’t see credit scores on your credit reports, but you can get them elsewhere for free.

“So many people have access to either their FICO score or their VantageScore through their financial institution or their credit card,” Smoley says.

Generally, a score of 690 or higher puts you in a good position. But even if your credit score is strong, it isn’t guaranteed to stay that way. Always be thinking about how to keep your score at that level or grow it so you can qualify for the best possible deal when it comes time to apply for a loan or a line of credit, McClary says.

Knowing the factors that influence credit scores may guide you. Actions like paying your bills on time or becoming an authorized user on a relative’s credit card to expand your credit history can bump up your score.

Make a plan for your debt

Carrying debt can wreak havoc on your credit score because more than half of your score is based on two factors: whether you make payments on time and how much of your credit limit you use.

If you’ve lost track of your debt — maybe it’s been a while since you’ve made a payment on an account or it’s been passed around several debt collection agencies — your credit report can tell you who is managing that account and how much you owe, McClary says.

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Once you know what you’re dealing with, set due date reminders and try to make at least the minimum monthly payment on each account. Note that while medical debt may disappear from credit reports early next year, your obligation to pay it won’t.

Making extra payments on credit cards with high balances can help your score too. Keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30% is ideal.

Do your best to save up for purchases you’ll make in the often expensive second half of the year, and pay them off as soon as possible. Summer vacations, back-to-school spending and holiday shopping can put a strain on credit utilization.

If you shop for a mortgage or auto loan, limit applications to a 14-day period to avoid multiple hard pulls from lenders on your credit report, which hurt scores, Smoley says. Credit scoring models generally count all inquiries made within this time frame as a single hard pull.

Keep monitoring your credit health to avoid surprises at the end of the year. “If you don’t know where to start, you can talk to a nonprofit credit counseling agency,” McClary says. “A nonprofit credit counseling agency can work with you, first of all, to understand what you’re seeing on your credit report, and then understand your options for dealing with some of these things. So you don’t have to go through it alone.”

Lauren Schwahn writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @lauren_schwahn.

The article We’re Halfway Through 2024. It’s a Good Time to Check Your Credit originally appeared on NerdWallet.

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The Federal Reserve’s war on inflation: How it works

• July 6, 2024

The battle to lower inflation continues. Halfway through 2024, and the Federal Reserve’s key interest rate is still at 5.25%-5.5%, the highest in two decades. While some experts expect rates cuts by three-quarters of a percentage point by the end of the year, leaders of the U.S. central bank suggest interest rates may remain at the higher levels. By keeping borrowing costs high, the Fed is hoping to cool the economy. (Download full page pdf.)

HOW INTEREST RATES REGULATE INFLATIONThe Federal Reserve board is responsible for setting the target for the Federal Funds Rate — a banking industry interest rate. To counter inflation, the Fed can increase this rate in an attempt to shrink the supply of money available to make purchases. And to stimulate economic growth, it can lower the interest rate, giving people more money to spend.

WHAT HIGHER INTEREST RATES DO

1. Money is expensive: By raising rates, the Fed hopes costlier financing will temper demand for consumer goods and services.

2. Less spending: With higher interest rates, banks make fewer loans. Less disposable income means that consumers must cut back on spending and save more.

3. Employment drops: As businesses cut spending, the number of employees can decrease as well. Businesses will also need more cash flow to cover inflated interest costs.

4. Stocks can fall: Higher interest rates often translate to a drop in the stock markets. Increased financing costs can cut into the bottom line of businesses and corporations. Investors will typically sell off their stocks to protect profits, moving them into bonds.

WHAT LOWER INTEREST RATES DO

1. Money is cheap: By cutting rates, the Fed hopes cheaper financing stimulates demand for consumer goods and services.

2. Consumer spending is up: Cheap money encourages consumers and businesses to borrow, spend and invest more. That can boost prices based on supply and demand.

3. Productivity increases: An economic bonus is that large investments by businesses can boost productivity.

4. Jobs are up: The increased demand for consumption and investment can lead to higher demand for labor.

HOW HIGH INTEREST RATES AFFECT …

Savers are obvious winners as they enjoy higher returns on the low-risk investments. Bondholders may like higher yields, but the value of old bonds can suffer as rates rise on new bond offerings. Stocks have an odd relationship with interest rates. When rates rise due to a strong economy, share prices can rise. But shares can also dip as higher yields on competing, lower-risk assets look more attractive.

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Typically, lower interest rates stimulate the housing market. House hunters often flock to buy with cheap money. The flood in demand usually pushes prices higher. Conversely, higher rates can trim demand and prices as fewer house hunters can qualify for a mortgage. The current housing market is an exception. While interest rates soar, current homeowners with historically low 30-year fixed mortgages are not selling. That’s meant an abnormally low inventory of homes on the market. Despite fewer qualified buyers, demand still boosts home prices.

SOURCES: Rocket Mortgage, Investopedia, USA TODAY, Axios, Forbes, MSNBC, CNBC, thebalanceomoney.com, The Atlanticcom, CNN Business, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, The New York Times

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‘He was fearless’: El Monte officer remembered 50 years after tragic death

• July 6, 2024

Manuel “Tony” Arceo wasn’t scheduled to be working patrol when the call came over the radio on Tuesday, July 9, 1974. A robbery at a Baldwin Park pawn shop had turned into a hostage situation with an armed individual.

The 31-year-old El Monte police officer was scheduled to be in court that day and that night was to be honored by the City Council for saving a blind couple from a burning mobile home.

Instead, Arceo and other El Monte officers responded to provide back up to Baldwin Park. In those days the department shared a radio and resources with neighboring Baldwin Park and Irwindale.

Fellow El Monte patrol officer Ken Jeske responded along with Arceo to the pawn shop but was soon called away to respond to a murder back in El Monte. He said while it was uncommon for a supporting officer to be on the frontline on another city’s call, it wasn’t for Arceo.

“Tony was always there, he was right up front,” Jeske said. “He was fearless.”

Former El Monte Police Chief Ken Weldon was a patrol officer in 1974. He was about to respond to the pawn shop with a handful of flak jackets when Arceo approached. Weldon told him he was going to take the vests to the scene.

“He says, ‘no, I’m going to do it,’” Weldon said.

The gunman, who had been firing at responding officers, ran out of the store firing and was greeted by law enforcement gunfire. In the chaos, Arceo was struck by a ricocheting bullet from another officer.

Dennis Timmins remembers pulling his fellow El Monte officer to a next door building before Arceo was loaded into a police car and rushed to the hospital.

His El Monte colleagues each noted that Arceo took great pride in not just his job but how he presented himself on duty. They described Arceo as in top physical condition dressed in a pressed uniform, polished shoes, shiny badge with neatly trimmed hair and mustache.

“He was the kind of person that probably didn’t put up with people who weren’t hard workers. He was an outspoken kind of guy,” Weldon said. “Very serious, very much a go-getter. Very dedicated to what he did.”

Jeske spent time with Arceo outside of work, getting beers and hanging out. When they worked graveyard shifts together, Arceo, Jeske and any other officers who wanted to come along drove to Arceo’s mother’s Redondo Beach home where a huge breakfast waited for them.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Arceo and his fiancé Cheryl Keyte got engaged the week of Arceo’s death. Keyte went on to graduate from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department academy in 1975.

Arne Ogaard, then an Irwindale Police officer, also responded to the scene and was struck in the left foot by the gunman. He was taken to the hospital prior to Arceo’s death. Ogaard wasn’t close with Arceo but knew him from their two departments supporting each other.

Despite it being half a century ago, Ogaard said Arceo’s sacrifice remains just as poignant.

“He went there with the idea of grabbing whatever he could to go ahead and help other police officers,” Ogaard said.

This week, Ogaard, now 80, wore a thin blue line cap as he turned through the pages of his photo albums filled with photos and newspaper clippings of his time in law enforcement. One clipping included a photo of a hospitalized Ogaard recovering from his gunshot wound. The bullet shattered his left foot.

Every year since, Ogaard said he thinks about Arceo this time of year. Ogaard referred to Arceo as his partner despite them working for different departments.

In the aftermath of Arceo’s death, Timmins said officers and employees didn’t receive the professional emotional or mental support officers would now when an officer is killed.

“We just kind of talked to one another and kept it inside a little bit,” Timmins said.

Weldon said he remembers exactly where he was when the call went over the radio that Arceo had died. He was on the corner of Mountain View Road and Klingerman Street and described an empty feeling come over him.

“I remember just driving around aimlessly and not a whole lot going through my head except Tony was gone,” Weldon said.

El Monte Police Department Chief Jake Fisher said while the department continues to improve training and equipment, taking care of the people themselves is just as vital.

The department plans to hire a full-time wellness coach to help officers with all aspects of their health beyond just the physical. Fisher’s father worked for the police department when Arceo died and the current chief said each instance of an officer dying in the line of duty brings police closer as a profession.

“It has a tendency to do that to bring us together as a family to better look out for one another,” Fisher said.

Later this year, construction will begin on a memorial outside the police station to honor the five El Monte police officers killed in the line of duty.

Arceo’s bronze plaque will be joined by Terry Long, Don Johnston, Michael Paredes and Joseph Santana.

In 1970, Arceo dragged a wounded Long out of the line of fire to receive medical attention. Long was paralyzed from the waist down. He recovered and had a successful legal career before his death in 2004.

The memorial will provide a more permanent space to honor fallen officers. It will include benches and a water feature. Fisher said the goal is to create a sanctuary for people to visit.

“A place to honor them in quiet in front of our police station whether it’s our employees that just want to go out there for a few minutes periodically and have a moment of silence or members of the community,” Fisher said.

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‘Starry Fight’ documentary tells ‘love story’ behind Florida van Gogh house

• July 6, 2024

When Nancy Nemhauser painted her Mount Dora home to resemble Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” in 2017, it set off a legal battle that captured people’s attention worldwide. A new documentary centers on the Central Florida home and the local controversy it sparked, but also tells the story of a mother’s love for her son.

“Starry Fight — A Canvas for the World” is now filming in Mount Dora and focuses on Nemhauser’s decision to keep the artistic paint job despite the threat of fines. She first decided on the distinctive look because her son, 31-year-old Grant “Chip” Harrison, who has autism, tended to wander off. Because he loved van Gogh’s work, the house became a beacon to guide him home.

Nancy Nemhauser’s home is painted like van Gogh’s “Starry Night” in Mount Dora on June 26, 2024. The home and Nemhauser’s story are the subject of a new documentary currently being filmed called “Starry Fight.” (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

“He has an interest in art, not art across the board but specifically van Gogh,” Nemhauser said. “I want him to know where he has to go, and that was my original reason for painting the wall.”

In 2018, Nemhauser and her husband, Lubomir Jastrzebski, were threatened with more than $10,000 in fines for an alleged code-enforcement violation stemming from their “Starry Night” night home. Jeremy Talcott, an attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation, fought to preserve the paint and ultimately won the case, resulting in Mount Dora settling with the couple. The city paid the couple’s $15,000 legal fees and made a public apology, which Jastrzebski insisted upon.

“When I talked to Nancy and learned how the town had told her she needed to paint the wall to match the house — and [she] chose to paint the entire house, I knew that was my type of person,” Talcott said. “She was willing to take a bold and perhaps a little bit of a crazy step to do something she believed in. It made for a great story.”

Lionel “Lee” Montells is the director, producer and writer of a film centered on the home painted like van Gogh’s “Starry Night” in Mount Dora, pictured on set in Mount Dora on June 26, 2024. The home is the subject of Montells’ documentary currently being filmed called “Starry Fight.” (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Lionel “Lee” Montells, the documentary’s director, producer and writer, said he was planning to retire to his original home of Spain after a 40-year career working in TV before stumbling upon the tale.

“I heard about this story in February. I couldn’t stop reading all night long. I couldn’t find a film, a documentary or a book on this house. Maybe nobody had done it because the story was waiting for me,” he said. “Besides the controversy and the legal fight, it’s the story of the love a mother has for her child. Who doesn’t love a great love story?”

Montells said the story is compelling because of its location, the fame of this painting, the freedom of expression issue and the focus on autism, especially as other parents have found hope in watching Nemhauser fight on behalf of her son.

Nancy Nemhauser stands outside of her home, which is painted like van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” in Mount Dora on June 27, 2024. The home and Nemhauser’s story are the subject of a new documentary currently being filmed called “Starry Fight.” (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

“Everyone can have the sense of how important a mother’s love is and how intense a mother’s love is. Interestingly, Chip calls me ‘mom bear’ and that is what I felt like. I was not going to give up,” she said. “[Montells] was the first person who contacted me about making this a love story and not a controversy. I appreciated that he had that vision. It’s about what a mother would do.”

Despite seemingly having its 15 minutes of fame six years ago, the house has seen a steady stream of curious visitors ever since.

“What started with a simple code violation created a sequence of events so big that it went around the world. To this day, there are still people coming to take pictures in front of her house,” Montells said. “I have articles in Chinese, Japanese, Hindi and every single language you can imagine. It went around the world.”

The director plans to visit Mount Dora several more times to complete filming before piecing together the documentary later this year. Ultimately, he hopes the film will make its way onto the festival circuit and eventually end up on an online streaming platform.

Nancy Nemhauser’s home is painted like van Gogh’s “Starry Night” in Mount Dora on June 26, 2024. The home and Nemhauser’s story are the subject of a new documentary currently being filmed called “Starry Fight.” (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Nemhauser hopes her story can prove inspirational for others.

“I had a very hard time because most of the confrontation was on me. I lost a lot of sleep and probably aged years beyond what I should have. I do think winning has helped other people. It has certainly brought other people here,” she said. “I’m delighted that we prevailed. I want to see more compassion and awareness of autism and the difficulties that parents face.”

She doesn’t regret standing up for Chip.

“This is his home,” she said. “Once I had the house painted, he was even more enamored with it. He’s proud to be here.”

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: [email protected].

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Gretchen’s table: Lasagna replaces pasta with low-calorie zucchini

• July 6, 2024

Gretchen McKay | (TNS) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

I’m a pasta fanatic — pappardelle with Bolognese and clouds of Parmesan is a particular fave — but I’m no longer running mile after mile each week to train for races, so it’s probably a good idea to cut back on the carb-loading.

A video on my social media feed reminded me that sliced zucchini squash makes an inexpensive, low-cal substitute for lasagna noodles, and it doesn’t require a lot of fuss to prepare. So I set out to make the traditional Northern Italian dish using panko-and-Parmesan coated strips of the veggie instead of the flat, wide sheets of pasta.

One reason to fall in love with zucchini is that it has a very mild taste, which makes it easy to incorporate into many different recipes. Another is that it’s super good for you. A source of fiber and folate, which aids in digestion and metabolism, the green summer squash is also high in magnesium and vitamin C.

Zucchini are also pretty easy to find in even the smallest grocery store. And in just a few weeks, it will be ubiquitous at farmers markets both large and small as well as countless backyard gardens — sometimes for free, if your green-thumbed neighbors are generous.

I considered this dish a test run for what I hope will be a veggie-forward summer in the kitchen. In addition to the cheese-coated zucchini planks, the recipe features an easy meat-and-tomato sauce and two cheeses: shredded mozzarella and dollops of ricotta. Designed to serve just two or three people, it’s made in a loaf pan for just four or five slices.

This dish isn’t for everyone: Both my daughters responded with a “gag” emoji when I told them the lasagna included a simple meat sauce. But that’s an easy enough fix if you’re 100% vegetarian — simply omit and make up the difference with a little more cheese, or substitute a plain tomato sauce. Either way, it’s both filling and pretty tasty.

With a loaf pan and some sauce, it’s easy to turn summer’s zucchini into a cheesy lasagna. (Gretchen McKay/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS)

Pan Zucchini Lasagna

PG tested

2 medium zucchini, ends trimmed

1 egg

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided

Olive oil, for pan

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 onion, chopped

1/2 pound ground beef

1/2 cup canned tomatoes

Red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper

8 ounces shredded mozzarella

1/3 cup ricotta

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a loaf pan with overhanging strips of parchment paper (so you can lift the lasagna out after cooking).

With sharp kitchen knife or mandoline, slice zucchini into very thin slices.

In large bowl, beat egg with a little water. In a second bowl, stir together panko, grated Parmesan and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Dip zucchini slices into egg, then into the panko mixture and press so the crumbs adhere. Place on a plate and set aside while you make sauce.

Pour a glug of oil into a large saute pan and heat over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, then stir in ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a fork or spoon, until meat is browned.

Add canned tomatoes and red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes, then season to taste with salt and pepper.

Place a layer of breaded zucchini in the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. Top with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese, and 1/3 of sauce. Dot with 1/3 of the ricotta. Repeat two more times for three layers, then sprinkle the chopped parsley on top.

Place in preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until and top are bubbly and slightly crispy. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Serves 4.

— Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette

___

©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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